Blooming in Love and Growth–Reflections on Reading Little Women

Setinthe19th-century American CivilWar,Louisa May Alcott wrote "LittleWomen",amoving story about girls' growth with her gentle yet firm writing.

ThestorytakesplaceinasmallMassachusettstown.TheMarchfamilyispoor,buttheylivewithloveandpride.Theirfatherisatwar,andtheirmothermanagesthefamilyalone.Thefoursisters-Meg,Jo,Beth,andAmy-keeptheirloveforlifeinhardtimes.Kind-heartedMegdreamsofalovingfamily;independentJoloveswriting;gentleBethfindshappinessinmusic;artisticAmypursuesabetterlife.Eachsisterhasdifferentpersonalitiesandstrongdreams,andgrowsupthroughlife'schallenges.

Joisthemostremarkablefemalecharacter.Shedislikesold-fashionedrules.Shecutsherhairshort,runsaround,andwritesdownherthoughts.Sheturnsdownarichman'smarriageproposal,notwillingtomarryformoney.ShegoestoNewYorkalonetofollowherwritingdream,bravelyfacinglonelinessandsetbacks.Finally,shepublishesherworksandgainsbothmoneyandfreedom.Hergrowthshowsthatwomendon'thavetorelyonmarriage.Theycanearnrespectwithtalentandhardwork.

Afterreading"LittleWomen",Iwasdeeplytouchedbythegreatpotentialoffemalegrowth.Thebookshowsthere'snofixedwaytogrowupandweshouldn'tberestrictedbycommonviews.Wecanfollowourheartsandchooseourownways,notcaringaboutothers'opinions.Realgrowthisaboutknowingourselves,acceptingourflaws,andmovingforwardbravely.Thebooktellsmethatnomatterwhatlifewechoose,courage,kindness,independence,andhonestyarethemostimportant.Itmakesmebelievethatthosewholivegenuinelywillhavewonderfullives.

Mrs.Marchoncetoldherdaughters:"Don'tthinkbeautyandloveareallawomanhas;youhaveasoulandamindtoo."Thesewordsstillholdtruetoday.Inmodernsociety,althoughwomen'sstatushasimproved,westillfacenewchoices:agoodcareeroragoodmarriage?Atop-leveljoboraperfectfamily?"LittleWomen"givestheanswer:it'snotaneither-orsituation.Realfemalegrowth,likethesisters',istokeeplovingandstayindependent,tobekindtotheworldandstrongenoughtofacelife'sdifficulties.

Fortoday'syoungpeople,"LittleWomen"teachesusthatwedon'tneedtobethe"perfectwoman"othersexpect.Wejustneedtobeourselves,withrichinnerlivesandfreespirits.

指导教师：周怡麟